Hello again readers! Thanks to all who reviewed and/or added to their favs/alert list. Sesshomaru and Kagome is my fav pairing for Inuyahsa fan fics. The rating now stands at 'T' but fair warning, I will raise it to 'M' in the later chapters. Please enjoy and reveiw. Thanks!!
The morning came soon enough and the expanded group set off. Rin and Shippo had finally found someone their age to play so they were joyous all morning. As oppose to Inuyasha who sulked all morning. Kagome would periodically looked down upon the swords at her waist. There was something different about the Tokigin this morning from last night. Its aura wasn't as frizzy as before. Like it had calmed down a bit. Almost as if it had a mind of its own. Kagome took a moment to remember how the Tokigin came into existence. There was Naraku's reincarnation, the creepy sword maker, then Sesshomaru appearing from the sky on the back of that dragon and calmed the swords dark demonic aura. Now the pure of heart miko was carrying the dark demon sword. Irony was bitter.
To top it off, the sword was a strain on her hip. She was not used to carrying heavy weapons such as a sword and now she had been stuck with two of them.
She could only guess how much Sesshomaru hated her right now. Because of her, he was stuck following their group around until she could release the sword. Then again, because of her, he still has a sword. He seems to care about it. Almost like he had bonded with it. He hasn't complained once but she could imagine what he was thinking. She didn't even dare to wonder what Inuyasha was thinking about her right now. First he can't have his sword because of her and he also has to have his brother in the group. Nope, Inuyasha was probably far from happy right now.
Sango must have sensed Kagome's distress because she walked up next to her and put her hand on her shoulder, "Listen Kagome, things will be alright. Keade will know something, she is very wise, or she'll know someone who knows something. Then, we'll find a way to free you from this belt and things will go right back to normal. We'll be out hunting shards again in no time."
Kagome's eyes suddenly got a glazed look in them as she stared off into the distance before them, as if she could see what the others could not, "I have a feeling, Sango, that things will not be normal after all this is said and done."
"What do you mean, Kagome?" Sango questioned quite surprised. Kagome was normally very optimistic.
"I just feel that something is off about this whole situation. Like something is just not right. I do not think this task will be easy or quick. I also feel, and go ahead, call me paranoid but, I know that some outside force has a hand in this game. Unfortunately, I'm thinking the hand belongs to Naraku." Kagome pondered.
"You think Naraku is somehow envolved in this?"
Kagome shook her head, "I do not think, I know."
All went quite for a moment, deep in their own thoughts.
"Somehow, we all, all of us here now, have become pieces in Naraku's latest game. And we are all too familiar with the types of games he likes to play. Deception and betrayal. I think its best if we all are on alert for anything ordinary." Kagome felt the words coming from her mouth more than heard them. There was a deep truth behind them that she could only feel not see. When she was bestowed upon the gift of sensing Naraku's evil, she did not know, but, she planned on using it carefully.
About mid-afternoon, the village came into view. As they entered it, all of the villagers stopped whatever it was they were doing to behold Sesshomaru and Ah-Un. Not one of them dared to say anything about a demon entering their village. Mostly because he looked formidable enough to destroy the village easily, which was pretty much true. Yet that did not stop them from following the gang down the center road to where Keade was walking. Upon seeing Kagome and the newly added individuals to her group, she stopped and waited for them to approach her. A crowd of the villagers gathered around as they all came together.
"Kagome," Keade started off, "is this not the half-brother of Inuyasha? The lord of the western lands? Why have ye brought him here? And why so willingly have he come?"
"Keada," Kagome began, weary of the eyes that watched her, "we have returned to seek your wisdom. I feel we have fallen victim to yet another of Naraku's traps and need your help."
Keada had by now, eyed the belt and the two swords, "Ay, I see. Ye hold the Tetsiuga and Tokigin at ye side. This must be serious."
Kagome nodded, "I'm afraid, its worse than we imagine."
"Very well, we will take this inside my hut." Keade then turned and led them to her home. The villagers parted and some tried to eavesdrop near the hut until they saw Ah-Un guarding the place. Needless to say, there would be no interruptions from them.
Once everyone was settled into the hut, Keada poised the question,"So, what happened?"
After ten minutes of reciting the recent events, Keade leaned against the wall and thought deeply, "And ye feel as if Naraku has some hand in this?"
Kagome, who had done most of the talking, nodded slowly.
After a beat, Keada continued, "I do believe your judgement is correct. From what I know about the mining demon imps that you speak of, they are a very low-class demon race and most in their class have little or no use of magic. And the belt you where is indeed submersed in a powerful magic. You say you found this belt near the Tokigin in the shrine?"
Kagome nodded again, "Yes, it was more or less right in front of it. I thought it only a mere clothe and used it to carry away the Tokigin."
"To be placed where it could be so easily obtained is almost like it was placed their on purpose."
"You mean to say that the clothe was the trap? That Naraku purposely place it where he knew I would grab it and use it?"
Keada nodded.
"So that leaves the question open: Was the whole thing from the beginning Naraku's plan or did he just come in in mid-play? The answer to that would give us a better understanding of what is going on." Mioku injected his thoughts.
"Well, whether he planned it or not, I want my sword back." Inuyasha added.
"Why is it that ye refused to give Inuyasha his sword, Kagome?" Keada question.
"Because I cannot return Sesshomaru's sword, Rin and I agreed that I would not give Inuyasha his. We do not want Inuyasha to take advantage of the situation."
"I still don't get why you are protecting him! He doesn't need nor does he deserve it! I just don't get it!" he ranted.
Kagome calmly looked him in the eye, "And you never will."
Shippo's giggles filled the air seconds later.
"It wouldn't matter anyway, Inuyasha." Keade continued, "I do know a little about the garment Kagome now wears although not much. For instance, even if Kagome wanted to she could not return your sword to you. Once a sword is placed under the spell of the enchanted belt, it will not allow any one other than the wearer of said belt to wield the sword. Your sword is useless to you now, Inuyasha, whether you could touch it or not."
"Is there anything else you might know about this belt. Or better yet, how to remove it?" Sango asked.
Keada's expression changed to a deep thinking look, "Nay, I do not know any more. I have only heard about such a belt existing very seldom. I do know a person, a fellow priestess in another village who might know a bit more about it."
"Fine then, we'll go there, just tell us the way." Inuyasha resolved.
"It will be a many days journey from here towards the west. At the base of the Western Dragon's Mountains. Lord Sesshomaru probably knows of which I speak."
Sesshomaru nodded once in acknowledgement.
"Fine then! Lets get going." Inuyasha was headed out the door.
"Inuyasha," Keade's voice stopped him, "I know ye is anxious to have your sword back but do not let haste cloud your mind. If what Kagome says is true, and Naraku really does have a hand in whatever is going on, the journey is going to be far more dangerous than expected. Keep a sharp eye out, all of you. Stay in groups and do not allow the young ones ones to stray too far. Naraku has set up the game, and Kagome has taken the first steps into it. That means it is now Naraku's turn."
Everyone's eyes searched out others. A feeling of almost dread dropped over the room. And whatever layed beyond that fluttering clothe door was the cause of it.
With a deep breathe, Kagome stood up and said, "No matter what he has planned, we will beat Naraku at his own game."
After words of encouragement from their inspirational speaker, the group followed the young miko out. They gathered in the street and as they did so, the villagers all once more stopped to stare at the group, mumbles running rampant. Most of the villagers thoughts surrounded the miko from the future. She was after all, the beginning of everything.
A few more goodbyes and tips from the old priestess, and the large group set out towards the west. Inuyasha immediately took the place of leading the group although he knew only a little about where it was they were going. He simply refused to have any help from Sesshomaru who tagged along in the back with Jaken and Ah-Un. In front of him was Sango, Mioku and Kagome who walked in a line quietly discussing any ideas they might have as to how to solve this problem and not fall into any more Naraku's traps. The kids, Shippo and Rin were walking in front of them talking amongst themselves and playing little games to keep them entertained. They stayed in front of the adults as instructed and behind Inuyasha, who was still sulking and grumbling to himself.
They traveled til about late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set in front of them. That's when Kagome got that all to familiar feeling. She felt a jewel shard and it was coming to them fast. Acting on instinct, knowing she had no time to say anything, she dropped her pack instantly and had her arrow notched in the next two seconds. Right when everyone realized what was going on, a large leopard demon leaped from the trees above straight at the group. The moment Kagome spotted it, she aimed, and fired. The leopard moved quick and just barely dodged it. And by dodging it, the leopard missed landing on anyone in the group. While the cat situated itself on the ground and turned to hiss at the miko, the children had run behind the protection of the dragon, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango stood in battle ready forms, and Kirara had transformed.
The cat now realized how outnumbered it was. Yet it still leaped it the air with its claws directed at Kagome. Sango's boomerang was flung at it causing it again to dodge but this time as it moved out of the way it spit a fountain of acid in Sango's direction. Miroku grabbed the demon slayer and dodged just in time. Kagome's eyes turned back to the cat just in time to see it laid on one paw, pivot and leaped once more in attack, this time at Inuyasha who had positioned himself between the leopard and the miko. The cat landed on him knocking him back to the ground with a hard thud. As Inuyasha struggled to keep the cats front claws from slicing him by holding his paws in his hands, Shippo took this opportunity to come out and set his fox fire upon the cat. The cat leaped off the hanyou. Unfortunately, it had set its sights on its next target and once it leaped, it landed on Kagome, effectively pinning her down the same way it had done to Inuyasha.
Kagome, not having the strength of a hanyou could not stop the cat's deadly claws from ripping into her shoulder. She let out a horrid scream. Inuyasha, Shippo, Kirara, Sango and Miroku were on their feet in the next second as the cat reveled its fangs and plunged down toward the miko's throat. In that very second, there was a sound of a huge firework then the heart stopping sound of a roaring wind ripping something apart. A glowing yellow rope wrapped around the leopard's neck and yanked the cat off of Kagome. The cat flew up and disintegrated in mid air with a howling screech.
The world had stopped for the next five seconds. All eyes fell upon Sesshomaru who still had hold of his whip. Then the whip was gone along with that howling wind noise it had created. That moment where Sesshomaru's eyes met Kagome's is a moment she would never forget. She could only stare in awed fascination at the demon lord before her. Her mind was a hazy maelstrom which only subsided when Inuyasha knelt down and held Kagome's chin to face him, breaking the eye contact between human miko and youika lord.
She watched Inuyasha's mouth moved but heard not a word he said. Her mind was still to far gone. Then Sango and Mioku's faces appeared as they leaned over on the other side and their words were also at a loss to the miko. Her mind suddenly became aware of the pain in her shoulders. The sharp, hard pain claimed most of her attention. The sickening smell made her stomach curled up and clench into a tiny ball. The feel of warm, thick liquid racing down her chest and pooling on her stomach because of her half sitting up position caused her skin to crawl. She could only feel. She couldn't hear and it was too dark to see. Only feel.
"Damnit Kagome! Say something!" Inuyasha's loud booming voice finally broke through her thick fog and her eyes shot open to see his face.
"Um...ow." Kagome sarcastically spat out at the feeling of Inuyasha's hands nearly breaking her forearms in half.
Inuyasha instantly loosened his grip and Kagome watched the relief wash over all their faces.
Finally, Kagome's mind seemed to somehow click back on. She forced herself to her knees then to her feet.
"Kagome, you shouldn't be standing in your condition." Sango rushed to steady her.
"It's not as bad as it looks." Kagome rasped out.
"To hell it isn't" Inuyasha insisted.
"Well," Kagome began holding onto Sango and Miroku now for support, "standing here isn't going to help anything." Kagome closed her eyes and held in the groan of pain, "lets go find somewhere I can wash off."
Sango and Miroku couldn't help but admire Kagome's ability to think logically even when injured as badly as she was. Kirara came and offer to carry Kagome who gratefully accepted. Kagome sat sideways on the back of the giant cat and Sango sat down next to her to balance her. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's yellow backpack and they headed in the direction Inuyasha smelled water.
A river was located and camp was set up a ways away so that Sango could attend to Kagome's wounds. Kagome was stripped down and settled into the shallow part of the water while Sango used a rag to clean the cuts on Kagome's shoulders. The sword belt still refusing to leave Kagome's waist and only loosening when Kagome changed, hoovering around her waist like a planet would in orbit until it could settle down again. The belt also somehow protected the swords from getting wet therefore preventing any rust damage that might occur.
Once the wounds were cleaned and medicated, Kagome sat on shore allowing the demon slayer to wrap to cuts. Kagome's shirt had been ruined and was now burning away in the camp fire. Kagome could put on another shirt just like it but opted for a tank top instead because it would be lighter on her shoulders. Besides, the bandages practically acted as sleeves themselves.
Kagome settled down upon her sleeping bag which Shippo had rolled out for her and Miroku provided her with some cooked ramen. The pain in her shoulders was nearly gone thanks to the herbs and Sango's care. Yet the campsite was quiet. Even the children were not running around like normal. And they kept glancing at her. All of them. Except for Sesshomaru of course, unless she just couldn't catch him.
Finally, Kagome couldn't stand it, "Okey guys, no one died today so stop acting like it!"
Her sudden outburst effectively snapped everyone out of their thinking.
"Kagome," Sango started, "you were seriously hurt today. We can't help but be concerned. This is probably the worst you've ever been hurt."
"For god sake, Sango! I'm not some porcelain doll here. It a few cuts not a huge gash in me. You guys get more ripped up than this and you never see me acting like I'm going to a funeral."
"Kagome, we have been more trained in combat than you have. We are more adapt to injuries than you." Miroku gracefully added.
"Miroku, I have been traveling with you guys for three years now. Do you realized that? Three years now and you still think I can't handle a few cuts every now and then? Its not like I was fatally injured!"
"Keh! Sure seemed like it. You worried the shit out of us when you didn't respond for a good five minutes!" Inuyasha commented from his tree.
"Five minutes? Was it really that long? Well, come on, I lost some blood. My mind was all hazy and stuff."
Shippo deiced to help his mother out, "Kagome's right. She's fine now so we should allow ourselves to be fine too. We'll just have to work harder next time to not let it happened again. Thankfully, Lord Sesshomaru was there to save the day. Thanks to him, Kagome's going to be okay. So let's all just be grateful."
Kagome smiled proudly at her son. He spoke so well with so much maturity and logic in his words. He even addressed Sesshomaru by his title. A real sign of growing up and learning manners. Kagome didn't miss the way he praised Sesshomaru. It was his way of thanking the lord for saving her. Without having to out right say thank you. Her little kit was growing up so fast.
As he walked by all proud looking Kagome reached out and pulled him into her lap and ruffled his hair.
"Mama!" he squeaked while laughing and wiggled out of her grasp and dodged out of her reach. This brought smiles to faces all around and the mood was instantly lightened. Rin decided to jump and tackle Shippo to the ground to play with his hair the way Kagome had. Shippo squeaked and managed to get away. Then the game was on. The campsite was soon filled with laughter.
Jaken took this time to grumble about humans and children until he received some nasty looks from the others then decided to quite down.
The game ended when Sesshomaru's smooth voice broke through, "Rin, it is time for you to rest."
Rin instantly stopped in her pursuit and nodded with a slight bow, "Yes, milord."
Rin then patted Shippo's head one last time, said goodnight to him and Kagome then curled up in her blanket next to Ah-Un. The dragon in turn curled its tail around the child adding extra comfort to her sleep. Shippo watched in almost amazement at how obedient the girl was to guardian. He snapped out of it and found his way to Kagome's pillow where he said goodnight to his mother and curled up into a little fluff ball.
Kagome smiled affectionately down upon her son and watched as the her other friends readied for bed before carefully lowering herself to the ground, shifting into the position which cause her the least amount of pain and closed her eyes.
Her mind drifted its way back to the moment when her eyes fell upon the demon lord holding the whip in his hand. In that moment, with the sun hitting the features upon his face, he seemed to almost glow a godly light. Then when the whip disappeared and that silence settled down, his eyes met hers. She thought for sure she was staring into the eyes of an unearthly being. There was something in those eyes for the tiniest of seconds that dared to peek through his stoic mask. Something she herself is not entirely aware of what it was but it was dazzling none the less. She always thought Sesshomaru to be the most beautiful man she ever met. Whether beautiful should ever be used to describe a male she didn't know but it suited him like no other word could. Yet he was also the most masculine male she ever laid eyes on as well. He himself, was one of those mysterious and fascinating things that one could just sit and puzzle over every day.
After that last thought, Kagome found a deep, exhausted sleep.